Ann Romney: 'We're here; we're back in Iowa'

MARION, Iowa -- The wife of Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, Ann, continued on her first swing through Iowa this election cycle, reiterating the importance of the state.

“We’re here; we’re back in Iowa,” Mrs. Romney told more than 50 supporters gathered inside a state senatorial campaign headquarters. “We know Iowa is important, and we know that the process is important, and that’s why we’re here.”

In her short, 7-minute speech this afternoon, Romney talked a lot about her grandfather and how important it was to her to get America back on track. Unlike other stops, she left out her personal struggles with multiple sclerosis. She promised that her husband will improve regulations and will “be the one that throws that blanket off and get things going again.”

“It’s like throwing someone on your back and having to compete in a football game carrying someone around,” she said about the current state of regulation in America. “It’s just what has happened to America lately, and I can’t wait to get Mitt in the White House, so we can help.”

Jennifer Bioche, an uncommitted voter from Marion, Iowa, said, “I think she is a lovely lady. I think it is really spectacular that she is here to support a local candidate, that’s pretty remarkable.”

Romney was campaigning for Republican state Senate candidate, Cindy Goldings, who is in a tight race in Linn County. If she wins, the Iowa Senate will pull back to even numbers of Democrats and Republicans. Goldings was in the news last week after she did not meet with Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, who had offered to help her Senate run. She tried to clarify that situation before introducing Romney.

“Now, I need to make something very clear, because the news media has made a big deal out of this,” she began. “Michele Bachmann was coming here … a week ago. I was taking care of business; I really was. So, I was unable to meet with Mrs. Bachmann. I am so glad I was able to take care of that and be able to introduce Ann Romney.”

Following the quick event, the media were told Romney would not take questions but rather would mingle with the crowd before heading to her SUV. One reporter tossed out a question anyway, asking her about what her role as First Lady would be.

“At-risk youth has been a concern of mine and love of mine and passion of mine for a lot of years,” Romney said. A follow-up question went unanswered.

She finishes her swing through Iowa tomorrow morning, speaking at a breakfast in Bettendorf. It is expected that Mitt Romney will come back to the Hawkeye State sometime in this month.